Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake fans savor victory as Spartans claim state Class A football title

SYRACUSE -- Even before Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake earned the 2012 New York State Class A football title 40-20, many in attendance Friday afternoon at the Carrier Dome thought the Spartans were already winners.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School fans turned out in large numbers for the final game of the season, as they have throughout sectional and regional play. The Spartan faithful packed most of three sections and parts of two others at the cavernous Carrier Dome, and the fans were loud from beginning to end.

"Our community is awesome," Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake head coach Matt Shell said. "They've always been super supportive of people, of families, of other sports teams, and they just keep turning out."

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"Burnt Hills' fanbase has always been fantastic," said Jeff Nusbaum, whose son, David, saw substantial time on Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake's defense this season. "The fans travel very well. We always seem to bring massive amounts of people, regardless of where we're playing."

Nusbaum, who doubles as the team's public-address announcer at home games, also has another son who previously donned the maroon and gray. Through his years with the program, he has always been familiar with the Spartans' proud fanbase.

"The Burnt Hills fanbase has always been consistent," he said. "They've always been there to support the team."

The crowd supporting Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake did not just include parents and family members. Dozens of students on Thanksgiving break made the trip west on the New York State Thruway to attend Friday's championship game.

"I just really wanted our team to be pumped up for the game," said Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake senior Scott Cooper, who helps lead the school's student section. "We can really get into it this year, and having the team seeing us be so supportive makes it even better."

Cooper stressed that while organizing his fellow teenagers can be very difficult, it is also a labor of love.

"We've been at every single game," he said. "It's not easy. Even today, I had to take my mom's car to be able to come here because mine can't handle this long of a drive. We get everyone together, every person will throw in a little money for gas, and we make it."

On three prior occasions, the Spartans trekked to Syracuse in search of a state championship. Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake had come up short all three times, but on Friday, the team's fans kicked into high gear.

"I know the boys look up and turn to the crowd," Nusbaum said. "To see the familiar faces and to see the overwhelming support that travels with them to every game, I know it gives them a great boost."

"(The players) love it," Cooper said. "I work with one of them and he's always telling us about what we do. We get noisemakers, we start chants and they're always telling us to get more chants and noisemakers. We love it."